Purposed Pain
November 23rd, 2008
Scripture:
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Matthew 16:21
Observation:
Father, I have heard many times that You knew your plan before the creation of the universe. That You created this World with the foreknowledge that you would redeem it. That somehow in your mind you saw me and every other person in creation as worth the highest sacrifice. That somehow as you cast the stars into place and told the ocean where to stop, and breathed life into the lungs of the universe you knew in your mind that you would have to give it all to redeem your creation. But this morning what blows me away is that I see an insight into your mind, not as you sat on your throne in glory, but as you were wrapped in flesh, walking the same ground I walk, breathing the same air, experiencing the same things I face that your purpose and plan remained.
Application:
God, I many times want to do good. I want to sacrifice. But as the time to actually do it draws near, I many time cower away because of the discomfort I might feel. You, knowing what pain was, knowing what rejection was, knowing what true sorrow was, chose to experience it all for my salvation. As the time grew closer, you grew more purposed, more purposed to experience pain and death on my behalf.
Prayer:
Father, because of that I am in awe. I am in love with You, and with knowing that you love me more than I could ever imagine or dream of demonstrating. You are my God and the lover of my soul!
— Jason Smith, student pastor, Madison/Ridgeland Campus